
North Stars Erupt in Third for 4-1 Victory
February 12, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
PORT HURON - The Traverse City North Stars broke open an even-up contest on Sunday afternoon with a trio of third period goals, including an empty-netter in the final minute to close out a 4-1 victory over the first-place Port Huron Fighting Falcons at McMorran Arena.
Mitchell Snider's goal just eight seconds into the final stanza proved to be the game-winner, and Stars netkeep Kyle Laslo turned aside 30 shots - 14 in the second period alone) - to give Traverse City a two-win weekend.
"It was a pretty similar effort to what we had on Friday night," said Stars GM Anthony Palumbo, referring to TC's 5-3 win over Michigan two days earlier. "We go into the third tied 1-1, Mitchell gets the quick one, that sets us off, and we go on to a pretty good third period. We have guys who are continuing to step up with a few of the guys still out (suspensions/injuries), and it'll make for even more competitive lineup decisions once we get everyone back."
J.D. Cotroneo (Woodbury, MN/Des Moines USHL) gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with 8:45 left in the first period, but the Falcons responded with a late-period goal. The teams battled through a scoreless middle frame before Snider (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) broke the seal on a final period troika, with Sean Murphy (Cary, NC/Tri-City USHL) adding an insurance marker at 8:35 and Will Badner's (Cadillac, MI/Motor City NAHL) vacant-net cherry on top with :35 to play.
Laslo (Fenton, MI/Osoyoos KIJHL) stopped 30 of 31 shots, while Jared Van Wormer (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) dished off a pair of assists. Cotroneo, Kyle Haak (Okemos, MI/Lansing Capitals U18), Jake Peacock (Traverse City, MI/Bay Reps HS), Michal Toman (Prievidza, Slovakia/TC North Stars NAHL), and Kyle Loridon (Howell, MI/Lansing Capitals U18) chipped in with an assist apiece.
The North Stars (21-15-5) - who finished their regular-season series against the Falcons with a 7-4-1 record - will play host to second-place Kalamazoo next weekend at Centre ICE Arena for a Friday-Saturday series. Both games face-off at 7 p.m., with a Skate with the Stars post-game public skate following Saturday's game.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2012
- North Stars Erupt in Third for 4-1 Victory - Traverse City North Stars
- Jacks Lose Second Straight To New Mexico, 4-1 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Kalamazoo Shuts Out Visiting Jamestown - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Topeka Bounces Jr Blues For Weekend Split - Topeka Pilots
- Bulls Sweep Texas Tornado with 3-2 Win - Amarillo Bulls
- Carey Scores Team-Leading 17th Goal - Wenatchee Wild
- Jacks' Offense Sputters In 4-1 Loss - Odessa Jackalopes
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